The Rockhurst women's basketball team has been selected to finish 13th in the 2026-27 Great Lakes Valley Conference preseason coaches' poll, released by the league office Friday (Oct. 23).

The Hawks received 50 points in the poll, placing them ahead of Lincoln and William Jewell in the 15-team conference standings.

Rockhurst enters the upcoming season with an experienced roster featuring eight seniors, including several transfers, along with seven juniors, four of whom joined the program through the transfer portal. The combination of veteran leadership and new additions will look to help the Hawks improve upon last season's 7-19 overall record and 3-17 mark in GLVC play.

Head coach Larry Park enters his 18th season leading the Rockhurst program. During his tenure, Park guided the Hawks to one of their strongest conference finishes in the 2016-17 season, when Rockhurst placed second in the GLVC standings.

Maryville enters the season as the preseason favorite after receiving 186 points and six first-place votes. Missouri-St. Louis followed closely in second with 183 points and six first-place votes, while Drury rounded out the top three with 171 points and two first-place votes. McKendree was selected fourth with 141 points, followed by Lewis and Truman State, which tied for fifth with 130 points each. Quincy, Upper Iowa, Illinois Springfield and Missouri S&T rounded out the top 10.

The Hawks will host Hannibal-LaGrange University on Saturday, Nov. 14, for their first home game of the season. Rockhurst will then open GLVC play on Monday, Nov. 30, traveling to Bolivar, Missouri, to face Southwest Baptist.

With a veteran roster and several new faces joining the program, Rockhurst will look to take a step forward in conference play and exceed its preseason expectations during the 2026-27 campaign.

2026-27 GLVC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll

1. Maryville – 186 (6)
2. Missouri-St. Louis – 183 (6)
3. Drury – 171 (2)
4. McKendree – 141
5. Lewis – 130
6. Truman State – 130
7. Quincy – 114
8. Upper Iowa – 107
9. Illinois Springfield – 98
10. Missouri S&T – 90 (1)
11. Southwest Baptist – 60
12. Indianapolis – 54
13. Rockhurst – 50
14. Lincoln – 37
15. William Jewell – 23

First-place votes in parentheses.